Pyeongtaek City Calls for Thorough Prevention and Management of RSV Infection

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] On the 14th, Pyeongtaek City urged kindergartens, childcare centers, and postpartum care facilities to thoroughly implement prevention and management measures for respiratory infectious diseases in response to the increasing incidence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, based on acute respiratory infection sentinel surveillance data, RSV infection hospitalizations have shown a continuous upward trend over the recent four weeks: from 125 cases in week 41 (October 6-12) to 278 cases in week 44 (October 27-November 2). It is expected that patient cases will continue to increase further during the cold winter months.

RSV infection mostly presents as upper respiratory tract infection symptoms including runny nose, sore throat, cough, and sputum. In children under 6 years of age, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly, it can progress to bronchiolitis or pneumonia.

It is primarily transmitted during winter through coughing, sneezing, and respiratory droplets. Additionally, since infection can occur through direct contact with infected individuals, childcare facilities for infants and toddlers and postpartum care centers require thorough management for prevention.

An official from the Songtan Health Center stated, "For RSV infection prevention, please strictly adhere to proper hand washing before and after contact with newborns and young children, restrict access by staff or visitors with respiratory symptoms, and practice proper respiratory etiquette."